PROSPERITY — Louise Dean Ellis died suddenly on Monday, March 11, 2013.

She was a daughter of Raymond Watts Dean and Ila Belle Henderson Dean of Whitmire. She graduated from Whitmire High School, attended Lander, and graduated from Winthrop College on May 29, 1949. On June 4, 1949, she married William “Ed” Ellis. They moved to Charlotte, N.C., where she worked on yearbook layouts while growing their family.

She began her teaching career after moving to Columbia, at Columbia High School. After the kids were older, she began teaching nights at the Ft. Jackson Army Education Center. Eventually she became full time, and when Ed went to work at the new U.S. Dept. of Education in Washington, she was able to easily transfer there also.

In recognition of her outstanding work in educating soldiers and their dependents, managing various aspects of the education programs, ushering laws and regulations through Congress, and other duties, in 1989 she was given the Tilton Davis, Jr., Military Eucator of the Year Award. In July 1989, she and Ed fulfilled their lifelong dream of retiring to Lake Murray, only to see Hugo pass by while new carpet was being installed.

When granddaughter Emma was old enough for K-5, in spite of always teaching adults, Mrs. Louise began teaching K-5 at Lewis Preschool. After Emma started Hollywood Elem., Mrs. Louise switched to the new Piedmont Tech in Newberry until ill health forced her to retire for good.

She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Newberry, and supported Newberry Swim Team, Christy’s School of Dance, Mega Gymnastics, Jasper Farms (horseback riding), and Camp Horseshoe.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William E. “Ed” Ellis, her daughter and granddaughter, Ann and Emma Ellis, all of Prosperity, her son Bill Ellis of Greenville and granddaughter Eliza Ellis of Lexington, her daughter Dr. M. E. Ellis of Jamaica, N.Y., her former in-laws Cathy and Tim Monetti of Lexington, and her sisters Betty D. Suber of Niney Six and formerly of Whitmire, Frances D. “Yank” Nivens of Poplarvllle, Miss., and Joye D. Ferrill also of Poplarville, one in-law Marion Paul Ellis of Leawood, Kan., a slew of nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her son S. Sgt. Raymond Dean Ellis, P.H., and her parents.

A visitation will be held Thursday night, 6 to 8pm, at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home, 1724 Main St., Newberry, SC.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 15, 2013, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church Newberry, 1020 Boundary St., Newberry.

Flowers are always welcomed, as are memorials to the Preschool at First Baptist Church, 1020 Boundary St., Newberry, SC 29108.

McSwain-Evans Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

A memorial message may be written to the family at www.mcswainevans.com.